Charges dropped against Botwood man

Gilbert Donald Budgell was escorted into a courtroom in provincial court in Grand Falls-Windsor this morning where second-degree murder and a firearm charge against him were withdrawn. Samantha Gardiner/The Advertiser

Budgell was charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm while prohibited after two men entered his home in Botwood in April of 2016. One of the men who entered the home died from a blunt force head injury.

Crown attorney Karen O’Reilly made the decision to withdraw the charges against Budgell after it was determined there was no reasonable likelihood of prosecution.

The Advertiser was in court this morning and will provide a further update.